Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 245
Series: n/a
Review Source: ARC from Raincoast Books
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Red-hot author Miranda Kenneally hits one out of the park in this return to Catching Jordan's Hundred Oaks High.
After a scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won't turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys--a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far...especially when he starts flirting back.
My Thoughts:
Miranda Kenneally, I bow down to you. You are my new queen of witty, smart, and swoony contemporary YA, and you will forever be on my auto-buy list.
If you loved 'Catching Jordan' the way that I did then you will definitely love 'Stealing Parker' as well. I’m beginning to find that I love companion books, and 'Stealing Parker' is no exception. It includes the main couple from 'Catching Jordan' without relying on them as a crutch, and it utilized the setting and some supporting characters from that book in an amazing way as well.
I absolutely adored Parker, especially because she was so completely different from Jordan. Even as I read the book and was screaming at Parker for some of the decisions she made, I just couldn’t stay mad at her. She was so easy to care about and empathize with. And don’t even get me started on Corndog/Will: way too adorable!
I love how in her books Miranda Kenneally deals with sensitive subjects in an honest way. She’s not sensationalizing them, but just bringing them into the foreground and showing how they’re a part of reality. 'Stealing Parker', for example, deals with homosexuality, religion, sexual relationships, and age differences in relationships.
If I had one teensy tiny criticism about the book it would be that it, in a way, followed the same story pattern as 'Catching Jordan', especially when it came to the romantic relationships. However it wasn’t enough to bother me in a huge way. ‘Stealing Parker’ was a book that I was highly anticipating, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. I love this book, and I can't wait to re-read it.
The Cover:
Cute! I like the colours.
Rating:
[5/5]Find Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.
Great review, Ashley!! I really need to read some Miranda Kenneally ... her books sound awesome!! And I love a good YA Contemporary Romance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
That's great to know, Ashely!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the book lived up to your expectations, though I admit I didn't like Catching Jordan quite so much - it was a bit because of the relationship thing and other personal pickles with Jordan, but it was a fun, engaging book and I'm glad Parker is one as well.
Oh yay! We didn't love CATCHING JORDAN as much as you did, but there was a lot about it that we appreciated, and it definitely got us interested in whatever else Miranda Kenneally has coming down the pipeline. Glad to hear this lived up!
ReplyDeleteI have been DYING to read this series! I am so mad at myself for not having the first book yet. I am so excited to see that you loved it so much and that you said it is smart and witty :)
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty much my favorite.
Thanks for the great review Ashley
Oh, yay! I loved the first book in this series and cannot wait for this one. The one before this is also one that "disappeared" off my classroom bookshelf, never to return...
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I have loved all the contemp companion books I have read too. I haven't read Catching Jordan yet but I look forward to it. I think this one actually sounds even better! :)
ReplyDeleteI CANNOT wait to read this one!!! :D I've been waiting for this one for so long, and I'm seriously so excited for it! :D I'm so glad that you loved it as much as Catching Jordan (even though it does still have the same flippancy about sex...but I can deal with that...I still love Catching Jordan regardless of it :P)...so as I said, so excited! :D And now I'm even more excited after reading your review! :D
ReplyDeleteAgreed, I have SUCH different feelings regarding those issues, but it doesn't mean I can't appreciate the book despite that fact. =)
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